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Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a great number of beautiful beaches, both on the mainland and on the smaller islands off its coast. Scenic Luquillo Beach is on the north coast near San Juan and El Yunque rain forest. With its crescent shape, rows of coconut trees, and lovely view of the mountains, Luquillo Beach is an extremely popular mainland beach. Another favorite mainland beach is Rincón, on the west side of the island. In the winter, its enormous waves attract surfers from all over the world. Not overly developed, it has a pleasant, small-town atmosphere that includes the chirping of the coquí frogs.
The islands of Culebra and Vieques boast some of the most fabulous beaches in the Caribbean. Culebra, off the east coast and halfway between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a nature reserve with turtle-nesting sites and delightful bird watching. The island is home to the enchanting Flamenco Beach with its wide sandy beaches, clear turquoise water, and excellent scuba diving and snorkeling. Vieques, just south of Culebra, is a true tropical paradise, with stunning scenery and hundreds of pristine, unspoiled, quiet, and secluded beaches. The beaches are quite varied—from peaceful to fun, from white sand to black sand to large reddish-brown rocks, from calm seas to white-foam waves, from pelicans and fish to lush green flora. Wherever you go, remember the sunscreen! Follow the link below to view a slideshow with pictures of beautiful Puerto Rican beaches!
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What is the Spanish word for beach? Look up the beaches mentioned in the article and write down their Spanish names. Which of these beaches or places would be your first choice to visit? Why?